"Japan's political elites are scrambling for new allies following the collapse of the ruling coalition that left even the prime ministerial post up for grabs. Last week, nationalist Sanae Takaichi was elected head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and appeared to be on course to become the nation's first female leader. Takaichi's ambitions took a significant blow on Friday, however, when the 26-year alliance between the LDP and the Buddhist-backed party Komeito broke down."
"A particularly sensitive issue both inside Japan and with its neighboring nations is Takaichi's stance on the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. The Yasukuni memorial site is a sore spot for Japanese leaders trying to balance nationalism with diplomacyImage: Eugene Hoshiko/AP/picture alliance The shrine has been the last resting place of Japan's war dead since 1869. The war dead, however, include many of the nation's notorious war criminals."
Political elites are seeking new allies after the collapse of the ruling coalition that left the prime ministerial post uncertain. Nationalist Sanae Takaichi was elected head of the Liberal Democratic Party and seemed poised to become the nation's first female leader. The 26-year alliance between the LDP and Buddhist-backed Komeito collapsed after Komeito opposed the LDP's more aggressive security policies and feared Takaichi would push further on security and relations with South Korea and China. Takaichi's past visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which enshrines war dead including convicted war criminals, exacerbate diplomatic tensions with China and the Koreas.
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